Breaking His 'Nice Guy' Image with a Gritty Performance
"I erased Kang Ha-neul's good and kind image. Instead, I filled it with something crude and ruthless." (Director Jo Jang-ho)
Actor Kang Ha-neul has shed his familiar, approachable persona. This time, he's covered in tattoos, spouting profanity, and oozing arrogance. Not just confidence—he's downright full of himself.
He plays a sensationalist live streamer who exploits brutal crimes for content. His only focus? Boosting subscriber counts and racking up views.
🎥 A Live-Streaming Thriller
'Streaming' takes a unique cinematic approach—it plays out as a continuous live broadcast. From start to finish, the film maintains an interactive feel, as if the audience is watching an actual stream.
"We hunt the demons hiding in this world. Let's zoom in on this—it's gold!"
Kang Ha-neul's character relentlessly pursues serial killers, even at the cost of his own safety. The tension is extreme. But amid the danger, he also thrives as an entertaining, charismatic content creator.
The film's press conference took place on the 26th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University. Kang Ha-neul and Director Jo Jang-ho were present to introduce the film and their characters.
🎬 The Plot
'Streaming' is a thriller that follows crime streamer "Woo-sang" (played by Kang Ha-neul), who stumbles upon a lead in a serial murder case and decides to broadcast his investigation live.
Kang Ha-neul explained, "Woo-sang finds a clue to a crime and thinks, 'If I go live with this, my views and subscribers will explode.' He gets completely caught up in the chase."
Director Jo Jang-ho added, "I've always found it problematic how online figures present their biased opinions as absolute truth. The film reflects my concerns about cyber media and sensationalism."
🎭 Kang Ha-neul's Radical Transformation
From the beginning, the director had Kang Ha-neul in mind for the role. "I had a brief encounter with him and was struck by his dedication. I felt confident we could create something remarkable together."
Jo Jang-ho even waited through Kang Ha-neul's two-year military service to cast him. "I wrote this role specifically for him. We've seen many of his projects, but we've never seen his true rawness. This was an opportunity to reveal a new side of him."
Kang Ha-neul himself was immediately hooked. "I couldn't put the script down. I read it in one sitting. The first-person perspective, the immersive storytelling—it was fresh, unique, and exciting."
💥 The Look & Attitude
His appearance alone is striking—slicked-back hair, flashy watches, visible tattoos. His dialogue? Packed with cocky, aggressive lines:
- "Only I can handle this case."
- "What the hell is this guy thinking?"
Kang Ha-neul explained, "Woo-sang is the #1 streamer in his field, so he flaunts his success at every turn. His entire personality is built on arrogance and self-indulgence."
To prepare, he erased his 'nice guy' image completely. "Woo-sang is the last person I'd want to be friends with," he joked. "I thought about the kind of person I dislike the most and channeled that into the performance."
Even small details mattered. "I chose props carefully—like a leather-bound notebook instead of a regular one, and a twist-open pen—all subtle ways to enhance his over-the-top persona."
📡 Filming in Real-Time
Since 'Streaming' plays out as a live broadcast, every scene was shot as if it were actually happening in real-time. Kang Ha-neul personally worked on refining the flow of the film.
"I kept asking myself, 'How do we make sure the audience never gets bored?'" he shared.
Even his hair became a performance tool. "Normally, actors avoid touching their hair during filming for continuity. But since this was a real-time stream, I told the stylist, 'Let me mess with my hair freely—it'll make the performance feel more real.'"
The film also features long-take sequences, some lasting 4–5 minutes without cuts. "I loved the challenge. Even when I stumbled on lines, it made the scene feel more natural."
🎥 A Solo Lead Role? Not Quite
Despite being the sole focus on screen, Kang Ha-neul insists he wasn't alone. "At first, I thought it would feel like a one-man show, but I was wrong. The director and the camera itself became my co-stars."
"I've always been fascinated by cameras. This project let me experiment with camera movements and angles like never before."
🏆 Praise for Kang Ha-neul's Dedication
Director Jo Jang-ho couldn't stop praising Kang Ha-neul's work ethic.
"The script was constantly changing, and his lines were insanely long. But he memorized everything—even the last-minute edits. His ability to adapt was incredible."
"He even called me at night with new ideas," Jo added. "He wasn't just acting—he was completely immersed in the project."
The production team also loved working with him. "Even our makeup artist said they'd never felt so relaxed on set. He was kind, professional, and deeply engaged with the crew."
Kang Ha-neul remained humble. "Yes, the dialogue was intense, but I embraced the challenge. We adjusted lines, improvised where needed, and kept everything as dynamic as possible."
🎬 Final Words
Kang Ha-neul wrapped up with confidence:
"Not everyone may love this movie, but I guarantee it'll be an unforgettable experience."
Director Jo Jang-ho added, "We hope you enjoy the ride."
📅 'Streaming' hits theaters soon—don't miss it!
[Photo Credit: Lotte Entertainment]
